In his expanded role, Drury will assist Gorton on all player transactions and contract negotiations, and he will continue to assist in overseeing and evaluating all players at the collegiate level. The 40-year-old rejoined the Rangers as director of player development a year ago. He will continue to assist in the development of team prospects, both on and off the ice, and serve as a liaison between the hockey operations department and prospects in the organization.

During his 12-year NHL career, Drury played in 892 games with the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, and the Rangers, getting 255 goals and 360 assists. He was a member of the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup championship team in 2000-01.

Drury signed with the Rangers as a free agent in 2007 and played four seasons. He served as the captain for three seasons, the last in 2010-11.

In 264 regular-season games with New York, Drury had 62 goals and 89 assists, helping it make the playoffs three times.

Drury represented the United States in three consecutive Winter Olympics (2002, 2006, 2010), capturing a silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015.

Your online hub for high school sports!

Sign up for The Whistle, the GametimeCT newsletter, to get the best, most up-to-the-minute, engaging high school sports coverage in the state.